Prolactin response to electroconvulsive therapy: effects of electrode placement and stimulus dosage.
Journal Article
Background
It is unclear whether the serum prolactin (PRL) surge following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a marker of optimal ECT administration. We investigated the relations among PRL surge, stimulus parameters, and outcome in major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods
Seventy-nine patients with MDD were randomized in a double-blind trial to right unilateral (RUL) or bilateral (BL), and to low-dose (just above seizure threshold) or high-dose (2.5 x threshold) ECT.Results
Change in PRL (delta PRL) varied among treatment groups, with significant effects of electrode placement (BL > RUL, p < .006), electrical dosage (high > low, p < .04), and gender (female > male, p < .005). There was no evidence that clinical improvement was associated with greater PRL surge.Conclusions
Although delta PRL varied with parameters impacting on response rates, these data indicate the PRL surge cannot serve as a useful index of clinically effective treatment. This finding does not support the view that diencephalic seizure propagation is necessary for ECT to exert therapeutic effects.Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Lisanby, SH; Devanand, DP; Prudic, J; Pierson, D; Nobler, MS; Fitzsimons, L; Sackeim, HA
Published Date
- January 1998
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 43 / 2
Start / End Page
- 146 - 155
PubMed ID
- 9474447
Pubmed Central ID
- 9474447
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1873-2402
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0006-3223
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/s0006-3223(97)00222-9
Language
- eng